Group management of devices methods, apparatuses, and systems

ABSTRACT

Embodiments include apparatuses, methods, and systems including a wireless transceiver, a processor coupled to the wireless transceiver, and a group management module operated by the processor to control the wireless transceiver to receive information pertaining to services offered by a plurality of devices co-located with the apparatus at a location, transmit the received information pertaining to the services offered by the plurality of devices, and information pertaining to services offered by the apparatus; and detect a response to the transmission by a new device; and manage, as a master device, the received information pertaining to the services offered by the plurality of devices and the services offered by the apparatus to enable the new device to join and cooperate with the plurality of devices and the apparatus at the location. Other embodiments may also be described and claimed.

FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to the technicalfield of wireless communication, and more particularly to groupmanagement of devices.

BACKGROUND

The background description provided herein is for the purpose ofgenerally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of thepresently named inventors, to the extent it is described in thisbackground section, as well as aspects of the description that may nototherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neitherexpressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the presentdisclosure. Unless otherwise indicated herein, the approaches describedin this section are not prior art to the claims in the presentdisclosure and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in thissection.

As the Internet of Things (“IoT”) continues to grow, more and more“things” may need to be managed. As “things” or devices embedded withelectronics, software, sensors, and connectivity technology changelocation, users may need to spend time and expense to manuallyreconfigure each item to become usable in the new environment.Furthermore, wireless traffic from too many devices can cause delays indiscovery times. Oftentimes, the more devices in a single location orspace, the poorer the user experience for discovery may be.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will be readily understood by the following detaileddescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. To facilitatethis description, like reference numerals designate like structuralelements. Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not by wayof limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example flow diagram for group management ofdevices, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example flow diagram for master devicedetermination, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates example data tables associated with the flow diagramof FIG. 2 in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example device configured to employ theapparatuses and methods described herein, in accordance with variousembodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example computer system suitable for use topractice various aspects of the present disclosure, according to thedisclosed embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates a storage medium having instructions for practicingmethods described with references to FIGS. 1-5 in accordance withvarious embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings that form a part hereof wherein like numeralsdesignate like parts throughout, and in which is shown by way ofillustration embodiments that may be practiced. It is to be understoodthat other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changesmay be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in alimiting sense, and the scope of embodiments is defined by the appendedclaims and their equivalents.

Various operations may be described as multiple discrete actions oroperations in turn, in a manner that is most helpful in understandingthe claimed subject matter. However, the order of description should notbe construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily orderdependent. In particular, these operations may not be performed in theorder of presentation. Operations described may be performed in adifferent order than the described embodiment. Various additionaloperations may be performed and/or described operations may be omittedin additional embodiments.

For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrases “A and/or B” and“A or B” mean (A), (B), or (A and B). For the purposes of the presentdisclosure, the phrase “A, B, and/or C” means (A), (B), (C), (A and B),(A and C), (B and C), or (A, B, and C).

The description may use the phrases “in an embodiment,” or “inembodiments,” which may each refer to one or more of the same ordifferent embodiments. Furthermore, the terms “comprising,” “including,”“having,” and the like, as used with respect to embodiments of thepresent disclosure, are synonymous.

As used herein, the term “circuitry” may refer to, be part of, orinclude an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), an electroniccircuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group), and/or memory(shared, dedicated, or group) that execute one or more software orfirmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitablehardware components that provide the described functionality. As usedherein, “computer-implemented method” may refer to any method executedby one or more processors, a computer system having one or moreprocessors, a mobile device such as a smartphone (which may include oneor more processors), a tablet, a laptop computer, a set-top box, agaming console, and so forth.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example flow diagram 100 for managing a pluralityof “things” or devices in a location, in accordance with variousembodiments. In the diagram, the plurality of devices (“devices”) arelocated proximally to each other, e.g., in a similar room or area. Inthe embodiment shown, the devices may include a television or videodevice 103, a first lamp or first lighting device 105, a second lamp orsecond lighting device 107, and a new audio device 125. In theembodiment, each of the devices may include a group management module,although for simplicity, only group management module 108 of secondlighting device 107 is shown in the Figure. In embodiments, the groupmanagement module of each device may assist the device to wirelesslycommunicate or advertise information pertaining to a service provided bythe device to the other devices. Note that in embodiments, the devicesmay utilize any suitable wireless technology and/or device recognitiontechnology in connection with the wireless communications. In someembodiments, ultrasonics may be used. As will be discussed furtherbelow, in embodiments, the devices may include a wireless transceiverthat may transmit and receive any type of suitable radio signal (e.g.,WiFi radio signals, Blue-tooth radio signal, Blue-tooth Low-Energy radiosignals, etc.).

Accordingly, in the embodiment, beginning in a lower left-corner at ablock 109, video device 103 may advertise that it is a provider of videoservices or “Video” while at respective blocks 111 and 113, firstlighting device 105 and second lighting device 107 may each advertisethat they are providers of light service or “Light.” After an initialperiod of the devices advertising their services, at a block 115, one ofthe devices, e.g., video device 103, may become a master device of thedevices in the location. In embodiments, and as will be discussed inmore detail below in connection with FIGS. 2 and 3, this determinationmay be made according to a feasibility score of video device 103 ascompared to feasibility scores of respective first and second lightingdevices 105 and 107. In embodiments, feasibility scores may include ameasure of device characteristics as relevant to performance of a masterdevice. In embodiments, upon receiving a message from video device 103that video device 103 is the master device (or in other embodiments,determining by lighting devices 105 and 107 themselves that video device103 is the master device), each of lamps 105 and 107 may stopadvertising their respective services at a block 117. As shown at ablock 119, the master device may now advertise services available in thelocation on behalf of the other devices. Thus, in addition toadvertising its own service, video device 103 (“master video device103”) may advertise services of lighting devices 105 and 107.

Accordingly in embodiments, when new audio device 125 enters thelocation, rather than exchanging information with each device, it needonly exchange information with master video device 103. Thus, new audiodevice 125 may provide information about its own services to mastervideo device 103 and receive information about services available fromother devices in the location from master video device 103. As a result,in embodiments, reduced wireless traffic may result in reduced radiocongestion and noise, and thus a reduced discovery time for the devices.Note that in embodiments, when a new device enters a location, a currentmaster device may determine whether it will remain the master device orif the new device is a more appropriate device to serve as masterdevice. Thus, in the embodiment, master video device 103 may compare itsown feasibility score with a feasibility score of new audio device 125.In embodiments, after exchanging information, if master video device 103has a higher feasibility score than that of new audio device 125, mastervideo device 103 may remain the master device. In the alternative, ifnew audio device 125 has a higher feasibility score than master videodevice 103, then in embodiments, new audio device 125 may replace mastervideo device 103 as the new master device.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 1, in embodiments, master video device 103,may manage information received from a new device along with informationfrom the other devices to join and cooperate with the other devices inaccordance with a context of the location. In embodiments, this mayallow the devices to self-adapt to the context of the location withoutrequiring assistance of a user to configure the devices. In embodiments,the context of the location may include settings associated with desiredproperties of the location such as a particular level of light or sound.In embodiments, the master device may use information related to thecontext of the location and the services offered by the devices todetermine settings for each of the plurality of devices. In embodiments,master video device 103 may provide settings for a particular volumelevel or other audio setting to new audio device 125. In one embodiment,if the context of the location calls for 1000 lumens, first and secondlighting devices 105 and 107 may each provide 500 lumens. Accordingly,in an embodiment, when a new lighting device enters the location, mastervideo device 103 may instruct the new lighting device to provide 333lumens and lighting devices 105 and 107 to each reduce their lightsettings to approximately 333 lumens. Thus in embodiments, devices mayadapt to a context of the location based upon an instruction receivedfrom the master device.

Note that light settings are only one example of settings associatedwith a context of a location. In various embodiments, settings may beassociated with any suitable service provided by any mobile orstationary device including the group management module in the location.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram that illustrates a master determinationprocess, according to various embodiments. As shown, for theembodiments, the master determination process includes a calculation ofa feasibility score for determining which device is to be a masterdevice among a plurality of devices (“devices”). In embodiments,feasibility scores may be measured according to one or morecharacteristics including a type of power source, mobility,availability, device system specification, or number and type of networkinterfaces. A group management module of the master device and/or of oneor more devices may implement the process with assistance of suitablesoftware or hardware in accordance with embodiments of the invention.Accordingly, in the embodiment, beginning at a block 205, the groupmanagement module may take an inventory of the devices in the location.Next, in the embodiment at a block 207, the group management module maytake an inventory of characteristics associated with the devices. Inembodiments, the characteristics may be those characteristics that maybe relevant to performing a function of a master device and provided bya particular device in the location. In embodiments, the groupmanagement module may receive information about the characteristics byexchanging metadata with the other devices during an initial advertisingstage, such as for example, associated with blocks 109, 111, and 113 ofFIG. 1. According to embodiments, examples of such characteristics mayinclude but are not limited to, whether a device runs on battery or ACpower, whether the device is mobile or stationary, and whether thedevice is “always on/always available” (“AOAA”) or moves frequently intohibernation, sleep, or other power-saving states. Other characteristicsmay include details about system specifications, such as related to,capabilities of a central processing unit (CPU) or memory, input/output“I/O” devices, and/or a number of homogeneous or heterogeneous networkinterfaces of the device.

In embodiments, once the inventory of characteristics has been taken,the group management module may assign values to the characteristics ata next block 209. To further illustrate, FIG. 3 includes an exampletable 300 illustrating example characteristics, e.g., c₁−c₆, in a column303 with corresponding example assigned values for a presence of acharacteristic in column 305 and an absence of the characteristic in acolumn 307, where 0≦c_(n)≦1. Thus, for example, as can be seen in a row309, a device characteristic, c₁, of a battery power source or “BatteryPower” may be assigned a value of “0” while an “absence” of thischaracteristic (e.g., running on alternating current (AC) power) may beassigned a value of “1.” In another example, across a row 311, mobilitymay be assigned a value of 0.7 and the absence of mobility (e.g., astationary device) may be assigned a value of 0.3. Thus, for an exampledevice that may be non-battery powered, non-mobile, non-AOAA, have anappropriate central processing unit (CPU), memory and network interface,example characteristic values of c₁-c₆ are shown in Table 300 in bold.

In the embodiment, at a next block 211, the group management module maygenerate weights corresponding to each characteristic according to howrelevant the characteristic may be relative to the other characteristicsassociated with the devices in the location. In embodiments, weights,w1+w2+w3 . . . +wn (where n is the nth relevant characteristicassociated with the devices in the room) may sum to a value of 1. In theembodiment, column 309 shows example generated weights, w1−w6, ofexample characteristics c₁−c₆. As illustrated, in the embodiment,characteristics such as battery power, CPU, and network interface(“Network”) may have higher weights due to power consumption andperformance concerns. In embodiments, it may be preferred for an ACpowered device to take over as a master device if a current masterdevice is running only on battery power. Note that table 300 includesonly example data for illustrative purposes as characteristics and theirrelative weights may vary widely, e.g., according to a characteristics,criteria, context of a location, and/or devices in the location.

Once weights have been generated, the group management module maycompute feasibility scores at a next block 213. In embodiments, if F_(d)represents a feasibility score of device d:

F _(d)=(100*sum(w ₁ c ₁ +w ₂ c ₂ + . . . w _(n) c _(n))), where sum (w ₁+w ₂ + . . . w _(n)=1)

Thus, for the present example, using the weights of column 309 and thecharacteristic values of columns 305 and 307,

F _(d)=(100*sum (w ₁ c ₁ +w ₂ c ₂ + . . . w ₆ c ₆))

F _(d)=(100*sum (0.3(1)+0.1(0.3)+0.1(0.3)+0.2(1)+0.1(1)+0.2(1)))=77

Accordingly, in embodiments, a feasibility score of the example devicemay be 77. At a next block 214, in the embodiment, the group managementmodule may compare its feasibility score of 77 to received feasibilityscores from the other devices in the plurality. In embodiments, thedevice with a higher feasibility score may be determined to be themaster device at block 216. In embodiments, if two devices have the samefeasibility score, various criteria can be used as a determiningcriteria. For example, in one embodiment, a device with a higher valueduniversally unique device identifier (UUID) may be used as determiningcriteria. If, for example, the UUID is not available, a media accesscontrol (MAC) address of a currently active network interface may beused, in an embodiment. In embodiments, a table 325 provides examples ofvalues associated with the example device that may be used for a firsttiebreaker T1 and a second tiebreaker T2, if needed. Note that inembodiments, when considering the MAC address for a second tiebreakerT2, as a first three octets may be an organizationally unique identifierof a vender of a network interface, in embodiments, it may be preferableto use a last three bytes that may be used to form a 24-bit number.Thus, in table 325, at a location 330, 09-85-15 may be used as acomparison value in embodiments. Note that the characteristics andweights of the example given here have been simplified for the sake ofillustration and that various formulas for determining weights andvalues in accordance to the spirit of the invention may be implemented.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example device that may be suitable for use topractice selected aspects of the present disclosure. In embodiments,device 400 may include a memory 404, wireless transceiver 410, and agroup management module 401, such as described in connection with FIGS.1-3. In embodiments, group management module 401 may be operated by aprocessor 402. In embodiments, wireless transceiver 410 may include areceiver and a transmitter. In some embodiments, wireless transceiver410 may include a blue-tooth low energy transceiver. In embodiments,group management module 401 may control wireless transceiver 410 toreceive information pertaining to services offered by a plurality ofdevices co-located with the device at a location, transmit the receivedinformation pertaining to the services offered by the plurality ofdevices, and information pertaining to services offered by the device;and detect a response to the transmission by a new device such as newaudio device 125 of FIG. 1. In embodiments, a “new” device may be adevice new to the location or newly activated in the location. Inembodiments, device 400 including group management module 401 maymanage, as a master device, the received information pertaining to theservices offered by the plurality of devices and the services offered bythe device to enable the new device to join and cooperate with theplurality of devices and the device at the location. Note that inembodiments, device 400 may be any suitable wireless communicationdevice that may benefit from self-adaptation to a location including aplurality of devices. In embodiments, device 400 may include computingdevices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktop computers,servers, as well as home entertainment devices including audio devices,game consoles (Xbox, Playstation, etc.), as well as consumer wearablesand appliances, including lighting devices such as those described inconnection with FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example computer system that may be suitable asanother device to practice selected aspects of the present disclosure.As shown, computer 500 may include one or more processors or processorcores 502, and system memory 504. For the purpose of this application,including the claims, the terms “processor” and “processor cores” may beconsidered synonymous, unless the context clearly requires otherwise.Additionally, computer 500 may include mass storage devices 506 (such asdiskette, hard drive, compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM) and soforth), input/output devices 508 (such as display, keyboard, cursorcontrol and so forth) and communication interfaces 510 (such as networkinterface cards that may include or be integrated with wirelesstransceiver 410, modems and so forth). The elements may be coupled toeach other via system bus 512, which may represent one or more buses. Inthe case of multiple buses, they may be bridged by one or more busbridges (not shown).

Each of these elements may perform its conventional functions known inthe art. In particular, system memory 504 and mass storage devices 506may be employed to store a working copy and a permanent copy of theprogramming instructions implementing the operations associated with agroup management module as described in connection with FIGS. 1-4,and/or other functions, collectively referred to as computational logic522. The various elements may be implemented by assembler instructionssupported by processor(s) 502 or high-level languages, such as, forexample, C, that can be compiled into such instructions.

The number, capability and/or capacity of these elements 506-510 mayvary, depending on whether computer 500 is used as a mobile device, astationary device or a server. When use as mobile device, the capabilityand/or capacity of these elements 506-510 may vary, depending on whetherthe mobile device is a wearable device, a smartphone, a computingtablet, an ultrabook or a laptop. Otherwise, the constitutions ofelements 506-510 are known, and accordingly will not be furtherdescribed.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the present disclosuremay be embodied as methods or computer program products. Accordingly,the present disclosure, in addition to being embodied in hardware asearlier described, may take the form of an entirely software embodiment(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.”

Furthermore, the present disclosure may take the form of a computerprogram product embodied in any tangible or non-transitory medium ofexpression having computer-usable program code embodied in the medium.FIG. 6 illustrates an example computer-readable non-transitory storagemedium that may be suitable for use to store instructions that cause anapparatus, in response to execution of the instructions by theapparatus, to practice selected aspects of the present disclosure. Asshown, non-transitory computer-readable storage medium 602 may include anumber of programming instructions 604. Programming instructions 604 maybe configured to enable a device, e.g., device 400 or computer 500, inresponse to execution of the programming instructions, to perform, e.g.,various operations associated with group management module 401. Forexample, device 400 may perform various operations such as to receiveinformation pertaining to services offered by each of the other ones ofa plurality of devices, advertise information pertaining to the servicesoffered by each of the plurality of devices including the device itself;and manage the received information pertaining to the services offeredby each of the other ones of the plurality of devices to accept a newdevice to join and cooperate with the plurality of devices in accordancewith a context of the location. In embodiments, the operations may alsoinclude determining whether the new device is to replace the device asthe master device and on determination that the new device is to be themaster device, transfer control of a future receiving, advertising,detecting, and managing functions to the new device.

In alternate embodiments, programming instructions 604 may be disposedon multiple computer-readable non-transitory storage media 602 instead.In alternate embodiments, programming instructions 604 may be disposedon computer-readable transitory storage media 602, such as, signals. Anycombination of one or more computer usable or computer readablemedium(s) may be utilized. The computer-usable or computer-readablemedium may be, for example but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic,optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus,device, or propagation medium. More specific examples (a non-exhaustivelist) of the computer-readable medium would include the following: anelectrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computerdiskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory(ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flashmemory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory(CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a transmission media such as thosesupporting the Internet or an intranet, or a magnetic storage device.Note that the computer- usable or computer-readable medium could even bepaper or another suitable medium upon which the program is printed, asthe program can be electronically captured, via, for instance, opticalscanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted, orotherwise processed in a suitable manner, if necessary, and then storedin a computer memory. In the context of this document, a computer-usableor computer-readable medium may be any medium that can contain, store,communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or inconnection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.The computer-usable medium may include a propagated data signal with thecomputer-usable program code embodied therewith, either in baseband oras part of a carrier wave. The computer usable program code may betransmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited towireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc.

Computer program code for carrying out operations of the presentdisclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programminglanguages, including an object oriented programming language such asJava, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programminglanguages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programminglanguages. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer,partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partlyon the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely onthe remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remotecomputer may be connected to the user's computer through any type ofnetwork, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network(WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (forexample, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

The present disclosure is described with reference to flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) andcomputer program products according to embodiments of the disclosure. Itwill be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/orblock diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computerprogram instructions. These computer program instructions may beprovided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purposecomputer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce amachine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor ofthe computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, createmeans for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchartand/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in acomputer-readable medium that can direct a computer or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instruction meanswhich implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer orother programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series ofoperational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmableapparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that theinstructions which execute on the computer or other programmableapparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/actsspecified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof code, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be notedthat, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in theblock may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, twoblocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be notedthat each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, andcombinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedsystems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations ofspecial purpose hardware and computer instructions.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure.As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended toinclude plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specific thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operation, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

Embodiments may be implemented as a computer process, a computing systemor as an article of manufacture such as a computer program product ofcomputer readable media. The computer program product may be a computerstorage medium readable by a computer system and encoding a computerprogram instructions for executing a computer process.

The corresponding structures, material, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or steps plus function elements in the claims below are intendedto include any structure, material or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements are specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the disclosure in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill without departingfrom the scope and spirit of the disclosure. The embodiment was chosenand described in order to best explain the principles of the disclosureand the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill inthe art to understand the disclosure for embodiments with variousmodifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Referring back to FIG. 5, for one embodiment, at least one of processors502 may be packaged together with memory having computational logic 522(in lieu of storing on memory 504 and storage 506). For one embodiment,at least one of processors 502 may be packaged together with memoryhaving computational logic 522 to form a System in Package (SiP). Forone embodiment, at least one of processors 502 may be integrated on thesame die with memory having computational logic 522. For one embodiment,at least one of processors 502 may be packaged together with memoryhaving computational logic 522 to form a System on Chip (SoC). For atleast one embodiment, the SoC may be utilized in, e.g., but not limitedto, a smartphone or computing tablet.

Thus various example embodiments of the present disclosure have beendescribed including, but are not limited to:

Example 1 is an apparatus for group management of a plurality of devicesco-located with the apparatus at a location, comprising: a wirelesstransceiver; a processor coupled to the wireless transceiver; and agroup management module operated by the processor to: control thewireless transceiver to receive information pertaining to servicesoffered by the plurality of devices; transmit the received informationpertaining to the services offered by the plurality of devices, andinformation pertaining to services offered by the apparatus; and detecta response to the transmission by a new device; and manage, as a masterdevice, the received information pertaining to the services offered bythe plurality of devices and the services offered by the apparatus toenable the new device to join and cooperate with the plurality ofdevices and the apparatus at the location.

Example 2 is the apparatus of Example 1, wherein the group managementmodule is to determine how each of the plurality of devices can provideservices in accordance with a context of the location.

Example 3 is the apparatus of Example 2, wherein the context of thelocation includes a light setting associated with the location.

Example 4 is the apparatus of any of Examples 1-3, wherein the groupmanagement module is to control the wireless transceiver to detect aresponse by a device new to the location or newly activated in thelocation.

Example 5 is the apparatus of Example 1, wherein the group managementmodule is to use information related to a context of the location andthe services offered by the plurality of devices to determine settingsfor each of the plurality of devices.

Example 6 is the apparatus of any one of Examples 1-5, wherein the groupmanagement module is to further identify whether the new device is to bea new master device, replacing the apparatus, based on a feasibilityscore of the apparatus and a feasibility score of the new device.

Example 7 is the apparatus of Example 6, wherein the feasibility scoresare measured according to one or more characteristics including a typeof power source, mobility, availability, device system specification, ornumber and type of network interfaces.

Example 8 is an apparatus, comprising: a wireless transceiver; aprocessor coupled to the wireless transceiver; and a group managementmodule operated by the processor to compare characteristics of theapparatus to characteristics of a plurality of other apparatuses in aproximal location that includes the apparatus and the plurality of otherapparatuses; and determine whether the apparatus is to serve as a masterapparatus to communicate services provided by the apparatus and theplurality of other apparatuses, to the plurality of other apparatuses.

Example 9 is the apparatus of Example 8, wherein a comparison ofcharacteristics of the apparatus to characteristics of the plurality ofother apparatuses include a comparison of a feasibility score of theapparatus to feasibility scores of apparatuses in the plurality of otherapparatuses.

Example 10 is the apparatus of Example 9, wherein the feasibility scoreof the master apparatus is a sum of weighted characteristics associatedwith the master apparatus and the feasibility scores of the apparatusesare individual sums of weighted characteristics associated with theapparatuses in the plurality of apparatuses.

Example 11 is the apparatus of Example 8, wherein the wirelesstransceiver includes a blue-tooth low energy transceiver.

Example 12 is the apparatus of any one of Examples 8-11, wherein theapparatus is one of a wearable consumer device, an appliance or fixtureconfigured to provide light, a laptop, a tablet, a smartphone, a musicplayer, and a television.

Example 13 is one or more computer-readable storage media (CRM)comprising instructions to cause a device, in response to execution of aprocessor of the device, to operate as a master device of a plurality ofdevices at a location, wherein to operate includes to: receiveinformation pertaining to services offered by each of the other ones ofthe plurality of devices; advertise information pertaining to theservices offered by each of the plurality of devices including thedevice itself; and manage the received information pertaining to theservices offered by each of the other ones of the plurality of devicesto accept a new device to join and cooperate with the plurality ofdevices in accordance with a context of the location.

Example 14 is the CRM of Example 13, wherein the new device is a newdevice to the location with the plurality of devices.

Example 15 is the CRM of Example 13, wherein to operate furthercomprises to detect a response to the advertising of the receivedinformation by the new device.

Example 16 is the CRM of Example 13, wherein to manage includes usage ofthe information related to a context of the location and the servicesoffered by each of the plurality of devices to determine settings foreach of the plurality of devices.

Example 17 is the CRM of any one of Examples 13-16, wherein to operatefurther comprises: to determine whether the new device is to replace thedevice as the master device; and on determination that the new device isto be the master device, transfer control of a future receive,advertise, detect, and manage function to the new device.

Example 18 is the CRM of Example 17, wherein to determine includes tocompare a feasibility score of the master device with a feasibilityscore of the new device.

Example 19 is the CRM of Example 18, wherein to compare the feasibilityscores includes to compare feasibility scores based upon a power sourceor mobility of the master device to a power source or mobility of thenew device.

Example 20 is the CRM of Example 13, wherein to accept the new device tojoin and cooperate with the plurality of devices includes to provideconfiguration information to the new device.

Example 21 is a method to operate a device in a location with aplurality of devices, the method comprising: advertising, by the device,information pertaining to a service provided by the device; determining,by the device, whether the device is to be a master device among theplurality of devices; and on determining that the device is not themaster device, deactivating, by the device, the advertising of theinformation pertaining to the service provided by the device, theadvertising to be performed for device by the determined master deviceinstead.

Example 22 is the method of Example 21, further comprising, configuring,by the device, itself to adapt to a context of the location based uponan instruction received from the master device.

Example 23 is the method of Example 22, wherein the configuring, by thedevice, of itself to adapt to the context of the location includesconfiguring, by the device, itself based upon properties defined in thecontext of the location with the plurality of devices.

Example 24 the method of Example 21, wherein determining includescomparing characteristics of the device to characteristics of each ofother ones of the plurality of devices.

Example 25 is the method of Example 24, wherein comparing includescomparing one or more of power source, mobility, availability, anddevice system specification, or number and type of network interfaces.

Example 26 may be an apparatus for operating a device in a location witha plurality of devices, the apparatus comprising: means for advertisinginformation pertaining to a service provided by the device; means fordetermining whether the device is to be a master device among theplurality of devices; and means for, on determining that the device isnot the master device, deactivating the advertising of the informationpertaining to the service provided by the device, the advertising to beperformed for device by the determined master device instead.

Example 27 may example 26, further comprising means for configuringitself to adapt to a context of the location based upon an instructionreceived from the master device.

Example 28 may be example 27, wherein means for configuring includesmeans for configuring itself based upon properties defined in thecontext of the location with the plurality of devices.

Example 29 may be any one of examples 26-28, wherein means fordetermining includes means for comparing characteristics of the deviceto characteristics of each of other ones of the plurality of devices.

Example 30 may be example 29, wherein means for comparing includes meansfor comparing one or more of power source, mobility, availability, anddevice system specification, or number and type of network interfaces.

Although certain embodiments have been illustrated and described hereinfor purposes of description this application is intended to cover anyadaptations or variations of the embodiments discussed herein.Therefore, it is manifestly intended that embodiments described hereinbe limited only by the claims.

Where the disclosure recites “a” or “a first” element or the equivalentthereof, such disclosure includes one or more such elements, neitherrequiring nor excluding two or more such elements. Further, ordinalindicators (e.g., first, second, or third) for identified elements areused to distinguish between the elements, and do not indicate or imply arequired or limited number of such elements, nor do they indicate aparticular position or order of such elements unless otherwisespecifically stated.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: a wireless transceiver;a processor coupled to the wireless transceiver; and a group managementmodule operated by the processor to: control the wireless transceiverto: receive information pertaining to services offered by a plurality ofdevices co-located with the apparatus at a location; transmit thereceived information pertaining to the services offered by the pluralityof devices, and information pertaining to services offered by theapparatus; and detect a response to the transmission by a new device;and manage, as a master device, the received information pertaining tothe services offered by the plurality of devices and the servicesoffered by the apparatus to enable the new device to join and cooperatewith the plurality of devices and the apparatus at the location.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the group management module is todetermine how each of the plurality of devices can provide services inaccordance with a context of the location.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2,wherein the context of the location includes a light setting associatedwith the location.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the groupmanagement module is to control the wireless transceiver to detect aresponse by a device new to the location or newly activated in thelocation.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the group managementmodule is to use information related to a context of the location andthe services offered by the plurality of devices to determine settingsfor each of the plurality of devices.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the group management module is to further identify whether thenew device is to be a new master device, replacing the apparatus, basedon a feasibility score of the apparatus and a feasibility score of thenew device.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the feasibility scoresare measured according to one or more characteristics including a typeof power source, mobility, availability, device system specification, ornumber and type of network interfaces.
 8. An apparatus, comprising: awireless transceiver; a processor coupled to the wireless transceiver;and a group management module operated by the processor to: comparecharacteristics of the apparatus to characteristics of a plurality ofother apparatuses in a proximal location that includes the apparatus andthe plurality of other apparatuses; and determine whether the apparatusis to serve as a master apparatus to communicate services provided bythe apparatus and the plurality of other apparatuses, to the pluralityof other apparatuses.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein a comparisonof characteristics of the apparatus to characteristics of the pluralityof other apparatuses include a comparison of a feasibility score of theapparatus to feasibility scores of apparatuses in the plurality of otherapparatuses.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the feasibility scoreof the master apparatus is a sum of weighted characteristics associatedwith the master apparatus and the feasibility scores of the apparatusesare individual sums of weighted characteristics associated with theapparatuses in the plurality of apparatuses.
 11. The apparatus of claim8, wherein the wireless transceiver includes a blue-tooth low energytransceiver.
 12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the apparatus is oneof a wearable consumer device, an appliance or fixture configured toprovide light, a laptop, a tablet, a smartphone, a music player, and atelevision.
 13. One or more computer-readable storage media (CRM)comprising instructions to cause a device, in response to execution of aprocessor of the device, to operate as a master device of a plurality ofdevices at a location, wherein to operate includes to: receiveinformation pertaining to services offered by each of the other ones ofthe plurality of devices; advertise information pertaining to theservices offered by each of the plurality of devices including thedevice itself; and manage the received information pertaining to theservices offered by each of the other ones of the plurality of devicesto accept a new device to join and cooperate with the plurality ofdevices in accordance with a context of the location.
 14. The CRM ofclaim 13, wherein the new device is a new device to the location withthe plurality of devices.
 15. The CRM of claim 13, wherein to operatefurther comprises to detect a response to the advertising of thereceived information by the new device.
 16. The CRM of claim 13, whereinto manage includes usage of the information related to a context of thelocation and the services offered by each of the plurality of devices todetermine settings for each of the plurality of devices.
 17. The CRM ofclaim 13, wherein to operate further comprises: to determine whether thenew device is to replace the device as the master device; and ondetermination that the new device is to be the master device, transfercontrol of a future receive, advertise, detect, and manage function tothe new device.
 18. The CRM of claim 17, wherein to determine includesto compare a feasibility score of the master device with a feasibilityscore of the new device.
 19. The CRM of claim 18, wherein to compare thefeasibility scores includes to compare feasibility scores based upon apower source or mobility of the master device to a power source ormobility of the new device.
 20. The CRM of claim 13, wherein to acceptthe new device to join and cooperate with the plurality of devicesincludes to provide configuration information to the new device.
 21. Amethod to operate a device in a location with a plurality of devices,the method comprising: advertising, by the device, informationpertaining to a service provided by the device; determining, by thedevice, whether the device is to be a master device among the pluralityof devices; and on determining that the device is not the master device,deactivating, by the device, the advertising of the informationpertaining to the service provided by the device, the advertising to beperformed for device by the determined master device instead.
 22. Themethod of claim 21, further comprising, configuring, by the device,itself to adapt to a context of the location based upon an instructionreceived from the master device.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein theconfiguring, by the device, of itself to adapt to the context of thelocation includes configuring, by the device, itself based uponproperties defined in the context of the location with the plurality ofdevices.
 24. The method of claim 21, wherein determining includescomparing characteristics of the device to characteristics of each ofother ones of the plurality of devices.
 25. The method of claim 24,wherein comparing includes comparing one or more of power source,mobility, availability, and device system specification, or number andtype of network interfaces.